Greeting's everyone , newbie with ?'s on 06

[Falls]

I've been looking at an 06 sport 4R 4x4 and want some advice. I like to off road a little and drive alot of mile's . 25k per year atleast.
1.
Could you tell me what axle ratio these have ? The book does not state that and the sales guy did'nt know much at all.
2.
Should I opt for the v6 or v8 ? Both will tow what I need it to do , but like the V6 because it has a selectable 2wd button , where as the v8 has full time 4wd. I'm kind of old school and like the 2wd option, and it seem's the v8 full time is not a 50/50 split. Is there a switch to make it a 50/50 split for severe weather driving ?
3.
The tire's are 265/65/17 and wondering if I could swap to some BFG AT 265/70/17 without any rubbing.
4.
We originally stopped at the dealer to look at a RAV for the wife , and as I got to playing with the 4R I was really impressed with it. I currently am running a 2004 Z71 Tahoe 5.3L. I've never owned a Toyota and am a little hesitant , just because I'm an old school boy. I really liked the truck though.

Thank's for you help and I'm sure there will be many more dumb ?'s to come. I've been rerading here for about a week now and loved all the good info....great site !!

 

[alpha]

I personally have the v6. Suits my needs perfectly. I do like having the option of 2wd as well.

As for gas mileage between the two, with reported mileages from people on the forum, there isn't much of a difference. Realistically, they both get about the same fuel economy, maybe off by one mpg on average.. and its usually probably off by about 1/2 a mpg.

No switch that I know of to make it a 50/50 split. Though the 4wd system is amazing, imo. knows when to apply torque and where when you need it. this is my experience on snow anyways. i have yet to off-road.. but i've found it to be very good in snowy conditions.

I have the Bridgestone's on mine, my dad has the Cross Terrains on his, and I keep mine in 4-Hi on basically all time in winter. Especially on snow days. My dad has yet to switch to 4wd on a snow day. The Cross Terrains do that much better, but added with all the traction control of the 4R, it does great.

People here have swapped to 70 series tires. Most swap to the Revo's though, and report no rubbing issues. Though tires are made differently, and I believe a few people on here have the BFGs. They should be able to answer your question.

25K miles a year, wow.. The 4R should definitely treat you well..

The new RAV4 is pretty nice. Took a look at them with my dad last week.. Nice improvements in size..

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

Their is a switch (Center deferential lock)on the lower driver left side . When the switch is on and the 4R is in 4WD it give 50/50 power to the front and rear.and YES 265 70 17 will fit fine without rubbing! don't be hesitant about owning a toyota! it is very reliable, well made and hold it's value compare to your Tahoe! : test drive one and I guarantee you would not be hesitant to trade that GM in for one!:awais:

 

[alpha]

Their is a switch (Center deferential lock)on the lower driver left side . When the switch is on and the 4R is in 4WD it give 50/50 power to the front and rear.and YES 265 70 17 will fit fine without rubbing! don't be hesitant about owning a toyota! it is very reliable, well made and hold it's value compare to your Tahoe! : test drive one and I guarantee you would not be hesitant to trade that GM in for one!:awais:

that actually does a true 50/50 split, i thought it would become a 50/50 split if it sensed it needed it, yet locked the center diff for better traction? guess i gotta do more reading..

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

that actually does a true 50/50 split, i thought it would become a 50/50 split if it sensed it needed it, yet locked the center diff for better traction? guess i gotta do more reading..

on DEMAND baby! no sensor needed!

 

[mole177]

i'm a new owner myself...

2006 v8 4wd sport.

comfortable to drive.

turn radius is awesome!

 

[sharp4runr]

turn radius is awesome!

Yeah it is. When my buddy first rode in my truck, he didn't think I could hit a turn to get into the parking spot. When I cut the turn he was amazed. Though the 4Runner still can't beat the turn radius of my mom's 93 Corolla. That thing can do a u-turn on 2 lane road(one lane going in opposite directions) without the tires getting on the gravel.

 

[AlexJet]

I've been looking at an 06 sport 4R 4x4 and want some advice. I like to off road a little and drive alot of mile's . 25k per year atleast.
1.
Could you tell me what axle ratio these have ? The book does not state that and the sales guy did'nt know much at all.
2.
Should I opt for the v6 or v8 ? Both will tow what I need it to do , but like the V6 because it has a selectable 2wd button , where as the v8 has full time 4wd. I'm kind of old school and like the 2wd option, and it seem's the v8 full time is not a 50/50 split. Is there a switch to make it a 50/50 split for severe weather driving ?
3.
The tire's are 265/65/17 and wondering if I could swap to some BFG AT 265/70/17 without any rubbing.
4.
We originally stopped at the dealer to look at a RAV for the wife , and as I got to playing with the 4R I was really impressed with it. I currently am running a 2004 Z71 Tahoe 5.3L. I've never owned a Toyota and am a little hesitant , just because I'm an old school boy. I really liked the truck though.

Thank's for you help and I'm sure there will be many more dumb ?'s to come. I've been rerading here for about a week now and loved all the good info....great site !!

I have 2005 V6. I love it and do think it was the great choice. I think if do not need extra 2000lbs of towing, you do not need V8, plus I like to have 2WD option especially in snow and other sleepy conditions, gives you driving fun. I do have 265/70R17 Revos - no rubbing. 4Runner is a great though truck, I've friends from off-road club who driving 1st and 2nd Gen for years without any problems. The idea is to maintain it well and the truck will thank you for it.

 

[greasefingers]

Axle ratios specs here
http://pressroom.toyota.com/presstxt/2003toyotakit/20034runner_s.pdf

 

[Falls]

What about axle ratio ? That link show's 03's which do have different spec's than the 06..

Also that chart show's 91 octane ...does that hold true today for the 06 ??

 

[T4RMatt]

I can tell you one thing, after selling the same vehicle you are driving for my Runner, I would never go back. Toyotas are the shiznit. I used to hate how my Chevys doors would creak when I pulled on them to close them, how the steering would clunk every 15k miles or so, and how the leather looked old after about 2k miles. I did not realize how much all of this bothered me until I drove the 4Runner and saw how solid it was. In terms of refinement, it is truly in a different league. I am happy with my V6, but if I bought another one I might get a V8. Both engines will smoke the Tahoe. My V6 actually maintains higher speeds up long grades while towing the same trailer than the 5.3 in my 'ho. As to the gas, you can use 87, 89, or 93. The ECM will adjust accordingly. I am sorry, but I dont know the rear axle ratio. It is probably in between the 3.73 and 4.10 you can get in the Chevy.

 

[greasefingers]

What about axle ratio ? That link show's 03's which do have different spec's than the 06..

Also that chart show's 91 octane ...does that hold true today for the 06 ??

The differential ratio is the axle ratio. To the best of my knowledge, this spec will not change from year to year for the 4th gen. For 5-speed tranny the axle ratio is 3.727

Read your Owner's manual for the octane used.

 

[JB.]

I'm kind of old school and like the 2wd option, and it seem's the v8 full time is not a 50/50 split. Is there a switch to make it a 50/50 split for severe weather driving ?

The center diff can lock completely for a 50/50 split. When it does, the VSC, Vehicle Skid Control, which controls individual wheel braking and engine power output, is off. It's intended mainly for stuck situations and off road driving.


The tire's are 265/65/17 and wondering if I could swap to some BFG AT 265/70/17 without any rubbing.


That's what I have. No rubbing on an 05.

 

[Falls]

Can you drive with it on the street , Like in a heavy snow storm at normal speed's.

 

[hoss]

get rid of the bowtie

owning 2 chevy trucks in the past, I will never go back
my V6 matchs the towing capability and off-road toughness of my old
Chevy 5.0 and 5.4.

truly a wise decision on my part!!

 

[JB.]

Can you drive with it on the street , Like in a heavy snow storm at normal speed's.

Yes, as long as the surface is not high traction (to avoid driveline binding) and you don't mind giving up the VSC. Personally, I wouldn't do it unless the conditions were so severe I had to drive pretty slowly.

 

[4RunnerRon]

Bottom line, Toyota's rule.

I just got a 2006 Sport Edition 4WD with the V8 and absolutely love it. Compared to my girlfriend's previous vehicle (a 1997 Chevy Tahoe), this is leaps and bounds ahead in terms of refinement and quality. I always considered myself a "Chevy Guy" since I'm a gearhead and have always owned classic chevys, but as far as the late model domestics go, I've been growing more and more unimpressed.

From both my experience, as well as the experiences of my friends and family, Toyotas last a long time and are overall better quality vehicles than most others on the road costing as much or more.

Oh yeah... as far as the engine choice goes - the V6 is a great engine, but I picked the V8 because it is so refined and really makes the Runner scoot!

 

[boston_kevin]

Falls - We are in a similar situation...

My wife drives a 2000 Yukon with the 5.3L and I have an 2004 4Runner with the V6, so I can give you a definitive comparison between the two...

1) Toyota V6 is better on gas and faster that the 5.3L, but can't tow as much. I have gotten as high as 25.5 mpg highway, and as low as 12.5 (when towing a 4200 lb boat). 0-60 is awesome with sacrificing as much fuel economy. Best mileage I have seen over 100k miles on the 5.3L is 18.5.

2) Safety wise - this is up for debate... The stablity control systems and traction control systems on the 4Runner are awesome! If you want Side air bags and side air curtains, you have to order them special or get a more loaded 4Runner. When both are compared side by side, Toyota would be get the nod because of the rear side air curtains.

3) Reliability - I have had awesome luck with both. Over 100k miles and I have only invested about $1000 in parts and labor (excluding tires) on the Yukon, and it has been in the shop less than 7 days over the past 6 years. Toyota - I have had 2 Oxygen sensors replaced (which when they fail they disable the stability systems) in 12 months of ownership.

4) Offroad - both do very well... The yukon does very nicely in soft sand and surf, but is too wide for some trails in the mountains. 4Runner does well in the sand and on the trails, but is a little more stiff riding.

5) Onroad - Yukon is much heavier than the 4Runner, but holds the road very well. 4Runner is prone to getting pulled by the trailer ruts on the highway, but is very comfortable. Both are quiet inside and have excellent parking manners (turing circle is about the same (37 feet) for both.

*** BIG ADVANTAGE for 4Runner***
I drive in 4WD in the winter starting in December and ending in March - I never shift out of 4WD even on dry roads because the 4Runner can do this without any effects on the driveline - just don't lock the center diff...

*** Advantage for the Yukon ***
Much more legroom/headroom/shoulder room to stretch out so this becomes more comfortable for longer trips.

My only concern with GM and Ford products now is how much longer are they going to be able to produce these vehicles... The 2007 Tahoe/Yukon is a hot truck with awesome fuel economy and stock coil over springs in the front. If they execute right and get the flaws out of the system before they release it to the public, this will be a serious competitor for the Sequoia and Land Cruiser.

 

[OUTRNNR]

I've been looking at an 06 sport 4R 4x4 and want some advice. I like to off road a little and drive alot of mile's . 25k per year atleast.
1.
Could you tell me what axle ratio these have ? The book does not state that and the sales guy did'nt know much at all.
2.
Should I opt for the v6 or v8 ? Both will tow what I need it to do , but like the V6 because it has a selectable 2wd button , where as the v8 has full time 4wd. I'm kind of old school and like the 2wd option, and it seem's the v8 full time is not a 50/50 split. Is there a switch to make it a 50/50 split for severe weather driving ?
3.
The tire's are 265/65/17 and wondering if I could swap to some BFG AT 265/70/17 without any rubbing.
4.
We originally stopped at the dealer to look at a RAV for the wife , and as I got to playing with the 4R I was really impressed with it. I currently am running a 2004 Z71 Tahoe 5.3L. I've never owned a Toyota and am a little hesitant , just because I'm an old school boy. I really liked the truck though.

Thank's for you help and I'm sure there will be many more dumb ?'s to come. I've been rerading here for about a week now and loved all the good info....great site !!

1. I'm pretty sure the axle ratios listed in the table have been the same all the way through '06.

2. Just go w/ the V8. the full time 4x4 system is awesome, you can't even tell its 4WD, drives like 2WD w/ hardly any penalty in gas mileage. Plus it rear biases the torque on dry roads anyway. If you are adimate about getting the V6, be sure NOT to test drive the V8 it will totally sway your decision as it is a phenomenal engine with alot of power and torque. Lastly, the 5 speed is worth it also. You get 2 passing gears at highway speed, something you wouldn't know about owning the Tahoe. The locking Center diff does split torque 50/50 under any conditions

3. Any 265/70 tire will fit without rubbing

4. Like many others have said, the '06 4R will be a step above any American made SUV on the market right now. The '07 Tahoe/Yukons will definitely be nice and comparable to the Land Cruiser and Sequoia, but I consider these full-size SUV's while the 4Runner is a mid-size SUV. Just remember if you go with the 4R you will be compromising some interior room.